Cafe owner brings 'a little taste of New York to Eustis'

EUSTIS — When Douglas Berrios was a young boy growing up in Guatemala, he worked at his grandma’s deli shop, learning how to run a business and dreaming of owning his own restaurant.

Berrios, 28, opened New York Café two months ago in the Publix shopping plaza on State Road 44 in Eustis. A few difficulties turned a three-month project into 10 months, but Berrios said he is happy that his dream is finally a reality.

“My grandma pretty much raised me so I worked with her a lot, learning all the skills and principles of the business,” he said. “I moved to the Brooklyn area in New York when I was 15, later attended business school and worked in some restaurants.

"Now I’m bringing a little taste of New York to Eustis.”

Berrios said his concept is to offer clean labels, meaning non-GMO, cage-free eggs and organic options when possible.

“My goal is to be the best, not the biggest,” he said. “With everything we offer, I’ve looked for the best and cleanest around. Why do something the same as everyone else? This way offers fresher food and more nutrition.”

New York Café offers breakfast until 11 a.m. daily, with omelets, breakfast sandwiches, croissants, pancakes and pastrami hash. He also offers bagels from the company Just Bagels in the Bronx, New York.

The lunch and dinner menus offer a variety of salads, cold and hot sandwiches, wraps and penne pasta.

According to Berrios, the most popular cold sandwiches are the Italian Stallion and the Frank Sinatra delight, and the Philly cheesesteak tops the list for hot sandwiches.

Other sandwich options include the chicken Parmesan, crispy Camaro chicken, pastrami, classic Reuben and chicken Philly. Wraps include a chicken Caesar, Buffalo chicken and the Rockefeller.

“I had a chicken Parmesan in a wrap, and it was very good and full of flavor,” customer David Lichtinger said. “It was packed full and a little messy, but that’s always good.”

Penne pastas start at $7.95 with a choice of house-made Alfredo, tomato, vodka or garlic sauce. Customers can add chicken for $2 and additional toppings, such as roasted artichokes, red roasted peppers, olives or mozzarella cheese, for 95 cents each.

Kids meals and desserts, such as Italian cannolis and cheesecake, are also available.

New York Café, 24432 State Road 44 in Eustis, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday,from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For information or to order, go to www.newyorkcafetogo.com or call 352-552-5373.